News for August 2012
21.08.2012 Amnesty International: Men released on bail still face prison
After spending more than a month in detention, Anton Suryapin and Syarhei Basharimau were released on bail on 17 August. They still face a prison sentence of up to seven years on charges in connection to the ‘teddy bear stunt’ by Swedish advertising company calling for freedom of expression in Belarus.
21.08.2012 German MP: charge against Anton Surapin must be completely withdrawn
20. August 2012 – Release of Anton Suryapin Photographer Anton Suryapin and another young man, Siarhei Basharymau, who were arrested by the KGB following the July 4 teddy bear drop were released on 17 August on their own recognizance.
21.08.2012 Does Article 441 of the Criminal Code implement its function in penal colonies?
Article 441 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus, “Malignant insubordination to the administration of the correctional facility which executes the punishment in the form of deprivation of liberty” is a reliable means to exercise pressure and “re-educate” prisoners, used by the administration of the Belarusian penal colonies. However, does this article really implement the functions which were given to it by the legislators?
20.08.2012 Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders strongly condemns harassment of Ms. Tatsiana Revyaka
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), has received new information and requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Belarus.
20.08.2012 Court on a new criminal case of Dashkevich will be held on August 28
Closed session will be held on August 28 in the penal colony № 13 of Glubokoe city. This was reported by the press-service of the "Young Front".
20.08.2012 Minsk observers face obstacles
A number of constituency election commissions of Minsk have not allowed observers representing the Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections campaign monitoring the procedures of signature verification and checking the papers submitted by nominees.
20.08.2012 Homel police detain distributor of independent press
Aliaksandr Protska, distributor of the Novy Chas independent newspaper, has been detained by Homel police outside the city’s central railway station at about 9 a.m.
20.08.2012 Political prisoner Prakapenka goes on hunger strike in punishment cell
Artsiom Prakapenka, political prisoner serving his 7-year sentence in the penal colony of Mahiliou, has declared a hunger strike after he had been placed in a punishment cell on 15 August, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports.
20.08.2012 Svetlahorsk journalist prevented from surveying public opinion on construction of pulpmill
On 17 August, Svetlahorsk police did not allow independent journalist Larysa Shchyrakova covering public consultations on the construction of a pulpmill, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports.
20.08.2012 Syarhey Kavalenka Placed in Prison's Medical Unit
It happened after the political prisoner had spent 16 days in a disciplinary cell.
18.08.2012 Baranavichy HR defender keeps appealing inaction by local prosecutor
The appeal submitted to the office of Brest Regional Prosecutor deals with the incident of 2 August when Baranavichy human rights defender Siarhei Housha was summoned to the city’s police department and charged with “hooliganism” for alleged swearing at a sitting of constituency election commission No. 5 back on 23 July.
18.08.2012 Pruzhany observer not allowed watching signature verification
Aliaksei Laptanovich, chairman of Pruzhany constituency election commission No. 9, has not allowed observer Tamara Shchapiotkina attending the procedures of signature verification and checking the papers submitted by potential candidates.
18.08.2012 Anton Surapin and Siarhei Basharymau released on recognizance
On August 17, 2012 Siarhei Basharymau and Anton Surapin, realtor and journalist facing charges under Par. 6 Art. 16 and Par. 3 Art. 371 of the Criminal Code, have been released on recognizance, the KGB official web-site reports.
17.08.2012 BAJ Chairperson Can Go Abroad Again
The confirming document issued by the Department on citizenship and migration informs that the computer system had suffered a system glitch in February – March this year which led to the "misunderstanding".
17.08.2012 UCP Babruisk activist warned by KGB (updated)
Viktar Buzinayeu, Babruisk leader of the United Civil Party of Belarus, has been summoned for interrogation to local KGB office.
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